Sergio Aguero will walk away from Manchester City to join Independiente after 2018 World Cup

Sergio Aguero will quit Manchester City in 2018. The 27-year-old Argentine has confirmed he intends to walk away from the Etihad Stadium at the end of his current contract and return to his first professional club, Independiente.

Aguero has been a cornerstone of City's success in recent seasons, memorably scoring the Premier League-clinching goal on the final day of the 2011/12 season against Queens Park Rangers. But the centre forward has revealed he has no intention of extending his stay in English football.

"In the last few months a lot of things have been said about a new contract, but I didn't pay any attention," he told radio station El Rojo En La Uno. "It's clear to me that when my contract ends, after the World Cup [Russia 2018], I'm going to Independiente.

"My family knows it, I will return as soon as my Manchester City contract finishes in 2018. City are aware of it. They know that I want to go back to Argentina."

The striker said the Premier League club support his wishes. "The club are happy with me and they have even told me they would be open to a deal if the chance of a transfer arises. But where would I go in Europe? When my contract is up I will go to Argentina to play for the Reds."

Meanwhile, Aguero confessed the managerial situation at City is "strange", as the club have already confirmed Manuel Pellegrini is to be replaced by Pep Guardiola at the end of the current season.

"It's a bit strange knowing four months before the end of the season that the boss is leaving and another is coming in," he said. "Hopefully we can win something so [Manuel] Pellegrini goes in the best way possible. And then we'll adapt to what Guardiola wants. Leo [Messi] told me that Guardiola is very demanding."